Limestone, Tennessee (Images of America Series)

In the late 18th century, Limestone, Tennessee, saw a quick succession of fascinating events. Washington College Academy, named after Pres. George Washington, was opened in 1780. In 1786, Limestone was the birthplace of Davy Crockett, America’s most famous frontiersman and folk hero, and in 1792, the community’s signature stone dwelling, the Colonel

Overview

In the late 18th century, Limestone, Tennessee, saw a quick succession of fascinating events. Washington College Academy, named after Pres. George Washington, was opened in 1780. In 1786, Limestone was the birthplace of Davy Crockett, America’s most famous frontiersman and folk hero, and in 1792, the community’s signature stone dwelling, the Colonel Gillespie House, was built. A Civil War battle was later fought in the town. Limestone prospered in the early 20th century as a watering stop for livestock trains but then declined as a rural trading center with the popularity of the automobile. Through fire, floods, war, and economic downturn, this unincorporated community’s rural spirit enabled Limestone to successfully meet the needs of its citizens into the 21st century.

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Meet the Author

An award-winning feature writer and columnist, James Brooks began writing for the Johnson City Press with a story on the Limestone Volunteer Fire Department in 1986; in 2001, he published a novel, Comeback of the Bears. He has traveled much of the world on bird-watching trips and met his wife, Janeth, in the Philippines in 2005. They live with two cats at Bear Run, near Jonesborough, the setting for his column, “The Wild Life.”